(12/05/14) East Greenwich - Spear, Raymond E., 83, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2014. Ray was a part of the \"Greatest Generation\" in its truest sense. He spent his life in service to his country, his community, his family and his church. He had a heart for others and his life was a testimony to this fact and his abiding faith in Jesus Christ. As a young man, Ray earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and from his early life through his later years, he remained active with the Boy Scouts of America. He served his country proudly as a drill sergeant during the Korean War. Following the war, he completed his undergraduate degree at Plymouth Teachers\' College in New Hampshire. He then acquired his M.A. and ED.S. degrees from the University of Michigan and went on to serve the people of Northville and DeWitt, Michigan and Coventry, Rhode Island as a public school superintendent. In his position as Superintendent, Ray was known for being a strong leader and tireless advocate for the towns\' students and schools. Following his retirement, Ray continued to serve his community as Chairman of the Coventry School Committee and later as President of the Coventry Town Council. Most recently, Ray served as an ambassador at his residence of the last two years, Atria Harborhill, East Greenwich. Ray was a committed Christian and attending Sunday services at his church brought him great joy.
Ray was a true family man. He was a devoted husband of 53 years to the late Freida O. Spear. He was a proud father to Carol (Spear) Crawford and her husband Dr. Kim Crawford of East Greenwich and Scott T. Spear and his wife Lisa of North Smithfield. He adored his grandchildren, the late Christopher Spear Crawford, Katherine Rae Bolyard and husband Ryan, Colby Spear, Braden Spear and wife Audrey and Trenton Spear, and counted it a great blessing that he was able to share considerable time with them as they grew up. He is survived by his brother, Norman F. Spear of Lady Lake, FL and his close friend Kay Malloy of Kingston, NH.
A funeral Service will be held at Quidnessett Baptist Church, 6356 Post Road, North Kingstown, RI on Friday, December 26 at 7 PM. Donations in his memory may be made to Re-Focus, Inc., 1228 Westminster Street, Providence, RI 02909. Burial will be private. Remembrances may be shared at carpenterjenks.com.
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